Method for the preparation and improvement of horseshoes

ABSTRACT

A new horseshoe has two legs connected by a bridge, the bridge having a pair of physical markers provided directly opposite one another in both a support surface and a ground surface, the pair of physical markers providing a guide for cutting through the bridge of the horseshoe. A method of applying the horseshoe includes fitting the horseshoe to a hoof, attaching the horseshoe to the hoof, and dividing the horseshoe in two parts by cutting through or sawing through the bridge along the physical marker in the ground surface of the horseshoe. A method of upgrading a horseshoe involves providing a pair of physical markers on a bridge of the horseshoe at positions directly opposite one another both on a ground surface and a support surface of the horseshoe.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/346,310 filed Mar. 20, 2014, which claims priority to BelgianApplication Serial No. BE201100557 filed Sep. 21, 2011, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a horseshoe comprising two legs connectedby a bridge. The present invention further concerns a method forupgrading existing horseshoes as well as a method for applying ahorseshoe according to the invention on a hoof of an ungulate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Horseshoes are used to cover the hooves of ungulates, amongst others toprevent damage and wear and tear of the hooves, and more specifically tokeep the natural movement, such as the resilience and flexibility in thehooves; intact.

When applying horseshoes there is a constant challenge to keep the hoofmechanism as intact as possible.

The proper operation of the hoof mechanism ensures good bloodcirculation and cushioning in the hooves and legs when the horse moves.

The operation of the hoof mechanism is activated because the hoof isable to change its resilience and shape when the hoof is stressed by theimpact of the horse's weight on the surface over which the horse ismoving.

When the hoof is stressed, the sole of the hoof is pushed down, causingthe radius to share the pressure and compress the hoof, making itlaterally and medially wider at the ground surface of the hoof, whichcauses a cushioning effect that benefits the legs of the horse.

When the hoof is no longer stressed, it returns to its original form andbecomes laterally and medially smaller at the ground surface.

The change in shape of the hoof during stressing and relieving causes apump effect in the hoof, which encourages the blood circulation in thehoof and the legs of the horse.

The stimulation of blood circulation created by the pump effect whichtakes place in the feet, also have a supporting effect on the generalblood circulation in the horse's body.

Good blood circulation facilitates the supply of oxygen, nutrients andremoval of waste which improves the performance and recovery.

The flexibility and resilience of the hoof enables the hoof to absorblateral and medial bumps in the surface over which the horse is moving,which benefits the upper joints, tendons and ligaments as they havelittle lateral or medial movement or flexing.

It is therefore very important that the flexibility and resilience ofthe hoof remains as intact as possible when fitting an horseshoe,ensuring that the hoof mechanism can work optimally.

It is therefore important to reduce the fixation of the hoof to aminimum when fitting the horseshoe and to maintain the flexibility andresilience in the hoof.

A traditional horseshoe fixes the lateral and medial side of the hoofwith a non-flexible or non-bendable U-shaped or closed element in metal,aluminium, titanium, plastic or other related materials that is attachedto the hoof using hoof nails, which hampers the hoof mechanism.

When applying traditional horseshoes; the horseshoe is fitted on anunstressed (lifted) hoof wherein the hoof remains in its smallestposition, when applying the shoeing the hoof is fixed in its unstressedposition, severely hampering the flexibility and resilience when thehoof impacts the surface.

The impact of the fixation created by applying the horseshoe onunstressed hooves has a far worse effect on the flexibility andresilience of the hoof when the horse moves, this impact increasestogether with the speed at which the horse moves.

The fixation of the hoof with the traditional horseshoe severely hampersthe change of shape of the hoof, which causes the cushioning of thehooves to be severely reduced, sending the shock to the upper joints,which results in foot, leg or other problems.

When applying traditional horseshoes, the lateral and medial side of thehoof is fixed so that the lateral and medial stress on the hoof can nolonger be absorbed individually, creating additional stress on thehorses joints and legs since it can permit little or no lateraldeflection or stress.

The obstruction of the hoof mechanism with the fixation of the hoofusing traditional horseshoes also hampers the pump effect that isgenerated with the change of shape of the hoof created when the horsemoves, resulting in reduced stimulation of blood circulation.

The fixation of the hoof will also negatively affect the horse'sperformance since the oxygen supply to the legs and hooves arestimulated less by the pump effect of the hoof mechanism, whichinfluences the performance and recovery.

The fixation of the hoof will also result in a reduced bloodcirculation, which will have a negative influence on the supply anddischarge of nutrients and waste, this in turn can have a negativeinfluence on the quality of the hoof.

In an attempt to address the abovementioned issues related to thetraditional shoe for ungulates several types of horseshoes have beendescribed.

DE 10 2010 037 762 and US 2002/0023760 for example disclose a horseshoecomprising two legs connected by a bridge, wherein the bridge isflexible such as to allow “independent” vertical and lateral movement ofthe legs when attached on a hoof.

The disclosed prior art horseshoes however have the important drawbackthat they are very difficult to fit and subsequently fixed on a hoof dueto lack of rigidity of the bridge of the horseshoes or even worse breakalong the bridge when forcing the horseshoe in a form fitting the hoof.Indeed, when fitting a horseshoe, a farrier bends the horseshoe alongthe bridge to fit the legs of the horseshoe on the hoof of the ungulate.This can be done both warm and cold, depending on the farriers'preference or the relevant horseshoe. Once bent in the right position,the horseshoe ideally rigidly remains its adjusted shape allowing thefarrier to attach the horseshoe to the hoof and to finish the horseshoe.

Another drawback of the horseshoes described in DE 10 2010 037 762 andUS 2002/0023760 is that these horseshoes are rather expensive anddifficult in manufacturing and fitting, resulting a considerable highercost for both the horseshoe and the application thereof on a hoof.

DE 102008060198 discloses a horseshoe comprising a frangible section inthe bridge of the horseshoe for separating the horseshoe legs from oneanother after attaching the horseshoe on a hoof.

A drawback of a horseshoe according to DE 102008060198 is that thehorseshoe is prone to break when fitting the horseshoe. Moreover thistype of horseshoe is considered difficult to divide along the frangiblesection without the risk of hurting the ungulate.

It is clear that based on the prior art there remains a need for ahorseshoe that addresses the above problems and drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a horseshoe comprising two legs connectedby a bridge, characterized the bridge comprises physical markersprovided directly opposite one another in both a support surface i.e.the surface of the horseshoe facing the hoof when in use and on theground surface facing away from the hoof when in use, wherein saidphysical markers function as a guide between an outer circumference ofthe bridge and an inner circumference of the bridge, for cutting throughthe bridge of the horseshoe.

The invention further concerns a method of application of a horseshoe asidentified here above, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. Fitting the horseshoe to a hoof and potentially adapting the        horseshoe shape to the concerning hoof;    -   b. Attaching the horseshoe to the hoof;    -   c. Dividing the horseshoe in two parts by cutting through or        sawing through the bridge along the physical marker in the        ground surface of the horseshoe

Finally the invention concerns a method of upgrading a (traditional)horseshoe, the method comprising the step of: providing physical markerson the bridge of the horseshoe at positions directly opposite oneanother both on the around surface and the support surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the intention to better indicate the characteristics the invention,the implementation form of this method is provided below as example,without any restrictive character, with reference to accompanying FIGS.1 through 4 where:

FIGS. 1a and 1b : ground surface (4) and support basis (5) horseshoe

FIG. 1a represents a one-piece horseshoe (10) according to the inventionwith physical markers (1) applied in the toe section (3) on the groundsurface (4)

FIG. 1b represents a one-piece horseshoe (10) according to the inventionwith physical markers (2) applied in the toe section on the supportbasis (5)

FIGS. 2a and 2b : inner circumference (6) and outer circumference (7)horseshoe

FIG. 2a reflects the position of the physical markers (1 and 2) in theground surface (4) and the support basis (5) with the innercircumference (6) of the one-piece horseshoe (10)

FIG. 2b reflects the position of the physical markers (1 and 2) in theground surface (4) and the support basis (5) with the outercircumference (7) of the one-piece horseshoe (10)

FIGS. 3a and 3b : applied one-piece horseshoe (10) front and rear view

FIG. 3a reflects the position of the one-piece horseshoe (10) applied inthe hoof by means of hoof nails, with cut groove (8) in the supportbasis (5), this cut groove (8) was cut with the reference of thephysical markers (2) serving as guide grooves applied in the samesupport basis (5) as seen from the rear of the hoof

FIG. 3b reflects the position of the one-piece horseshoe (10) applied inthe hoof by means of hoof nails, with cut groove (8) in the supportbasis (5), this cut groove (8) was cut with the reference of thephysical markers (2) serving as guide grooves applied in the samesupport basis (5) as seen from the front of the hoof

FIGS. 4a and 4b : applied two-piece horseshoe (11) front and rear view

FIG. 4a reflects the position of a two-piece horseshoe (11) on the hoofthat originates after the horseshoe has been cut through, with thereference of the physical marker (1), serving as guide groove (9)applied in the same ground surface (4) as seen from the rear of the hoof

FIG. 4b reflects the position of a two-piece horseshoe (11) on the hoofthat originates after the horseshoe has been cut through, with thereference of the physical marker (1), serving as guide groove (9)applied in the same ground surface (4) as seen from the front of thehoof

GENERAL LEGEND OF FIGURES

1=physical marker in the ground surface

2=physical marker in the support basis

3=toe section of horseshoe

4=ground surface of horseshoe

5=support basis of horseshoe

6=inner circumference of horseshoe

7=outer circumference of horseshoe

8=cut marker 2

9=marker 1 cut through

10=one-piece horseshoe

11=two-piece horseshoe

FIG. 1 represents a horseshoe according to the present invention, thehorseshoe comprising two legs connected by a bridge 3, the bridge 3comprising physical markers 1 and 2 provided directly opposite oneanother in both a support surface 5 i.e. the surface of the horseshoefacing the hoof when in use and on the ground surface 4 facing away fromthe hoof when in use, wherein said physical markers 1, 2 function as aguide between an outer circumference of the bridge and an innercircumference of the bridge, for cutting through the bridge 3 of thehorseshoe.

The horseshoe can be manufactured in amongst others, metal, steel,aluminium, titanium, copper, plastic or an admixture thereof.

Preferably the physical markers 1 and 2 comprise a groove as depicted inFIG. 2. Alternatively a line can be used as physical marker on eitherthe ground surface 4 and/or the support surface 5.

The physical marker 1, 2, here a groove preferably extends over theentire width of the concerning bridge 3 surface from an outercircumference 7 of the bridge and an inner circumference 6 of thebridge.

In case the physical marker is executed as a groove, it is importantthat the remaining material section of the bridge in the section of thephysical marker provides sufficient strength and rigidity to thehorseshoe such that during fitting the horseshoe does not break and yetremains it adapted form allowing easy fixation of the horseshoe on theconcerning hoof.

The depth of the physical marker groove 1 in the ground surface 4 of thebridge is therefore preferably maximally about 60% of the thickness ofthe bridge 3 of the horseshoe, whereas the depth of the physical markergroove 2 in the support surface 5 of the bridge 3 is preferablymaximally about 15% of the thickness of the bridge 3 or vice versa.

The horseshoe according to the invention can be easily fitted andattached to a hoof of an ungulate by the following method according tothe invention, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   a. Fitting the horseshoe to a hoof and potentially adapting the        horseshoe shape to the concerning hoof;    -   b. Attaching the horseshoe to the hoof;    -   c. Dividing the horseshoe in two parts by cutting through or        sawing through the bridge 3 along the physical marker 1 in the        ground surface 4 of the horseshoe.

Preferably, the method comprises the additional step, a′) of making aphysical groove 8 or deepening the groove in the support surface 5 ofthe horseshoe using the physical marker 2 as a guide in between steps a)and b).

By applying this additional step a′) after step a) wherein a certainrigidity of the horseshoe is required to avoid breaking thereof duringfitting, the cutting through or sawing through of the bridge 3 afterattaching the horseshoe on a hoof is made easier (FIG. 3) and hurtingthe animal or damaging the hoof can be avoided as the distance from themaintaining material to the hoof is enlarged.

As represented in FIG. 4, when completing the method according to thepresent invention, a horseshoe is obtained that is fixed to a hoof andcomprises two separate parts divided by a cutting or sawing line 9. Assuch the horseshoe provides a solution to the abovementioned issuesregarding the lateral and medial fixation of the foot, the hoofmechanism, the resilience of the hoof, the high degree of difficulty ofthe fabrication and the application of the pre-designed horseshoes tokeep the hoof mechanism and the cushioning of the hoof as intact aspossible.

Another advantage of the horseshoe and method for application thereofaccording to the present invention is that for a farrier this methodhardly or even not comprises more effort for the farrier than whenapplying a traditional horseshoe that remains in one piece afterapplication.

The farrier can fit the horseshoe as with traditional horseshoes, thiscan be done both warm and cold depending on the farriers' preference orthe relevant horseshoe.

When the horseshoe is fitted using the traditional method, the farrierdeepens the physical marking located in the support surface of thehorseshoe, serving as guide grooves, until approximately 60% of thethickness of the horseshoe is as such that the shape of the appropriatehorseshoe remains intact, but only a minimal of material is presentbetween the grooves 1 and 8 in the bridge (FIG. 3).

After this operation, the horseshoe is further attached and finished onthe hoof with the traditional method by means of hoof nails.

After the horseshoe is applied and finished traditionally, the farrierwill cut the physical marker in the surface of the horseshoe, serving asguide grooves, the remaining thickness of the horseshoe, changing thehorseshoe from a single element into a horseshoe made of two elements,which in turn can follow the lateral and media changes in the hoof,individually,

Reducing the fixation of the horseshoe to a minimum, results in a betteroperation of the hoof mechanism. This ensures that the blood circulationis better stimulated than with the usual traditional horseshoe.

Reducing the fixation of the horseshoe to a minimum ensures a betteroperation of the hoof mechanism, creating the pump effect in the hooveswhich encourages the blood circulation and has a supporting effect onthe general blood circulation in the horse's body.

Reducing the fixation of the horseshoe to a minimum ensures a betteroperation of the hoof mechanism which, through the stimulation of goodblood circulation, ensures a good supply and discharge of oxygen,nutrition and waste which benefits the performance, recovery and goodhoof quality of the hooves.

Reducing the fixation of the horseshoe to a minimum enables the hoof tochange shape and to be become wider on the ground when it is stressedand compressed between the weight of the horse and the surface overwhich the horse is moving, resulting in proper cushioning in the hoovesand the legs of the horse.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of application of a horseshoehaving a support surface attaching directly to a hoof of an ungulate andan exposed ground-facing surface contacting a ground surface whenattached to the hoof, the horseshoe comprising: two legs, each of thetwo legs including nail holes arranged in a recess on the ground-facingsurface; and a bridge between the two legs and having two free sides,the bridge comprising a first groove extending across the bridge from aninner circumference to an outer circumference of the horseshoe betweenthe two free sides of the bridge on the support surface and a secondgroove extending across the bridge from the inner circumference to theouter circumference between the two free sides, the second groove beingdirectly opposite the first groove on the ground-facing surface, whereina thickness of the bridge is uniform in an area between the respectivefirst nail holes of the two legs except at the first and second grooves,and wherein the horseshoe is composed of a metal; the method comprisingthe steps of: a. fitting the horseshoe as a single, unitary piece in afirst configuration to the hoof of the ungulate; a′. responsive to thefitting, deepening the first groove in the support surface while thehorseshoe is unattached to the hoof, by partially cutting or sawing thehorseshoe starting at or along the first groove on the support surfaceacross a width of the bridge without cutting completely through thebridge; b. responsive to the deepening, nailing the support surface ofthe horseshoe to the hoof such that a sole of the hoof remains uncoveredby the attached horseshoe after the attaching; and c. responsive to thenailing, transitioning the attached horseshoe from the firstconfiguration to a second configuration in which the attached horseshoeis divided into two separate parts, by cutting or sawing the horseshoeacross the width of the bridge starting at or along the the secondgroove on the ground facing-surface and then completely through thedeepened first groove on the support surface while the horseshoe remainsnailed to the hoof and the sole remains uncovered by the attachedhorseshoe to produce a gap between the two separate parts, therebypermitting lateral and medial movement of the hoof along the groundsurface.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first groove orthe second groove extends over an entire width of the horseshoe from anouter circumference of the horseshoe to an inner circumference of thehorseshoe.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the horseshoe ismanufactured of a material selected from the group consisting of steel,aluminum, titanium, copper, and an admixture thereof.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein material in the bridge between the firstgroove and the second groove provides the horseshoe with sufficientrigidity to maintain an adapted shape during fixation of the horseshoeto the hoof, after the horseshoe has been applied and finishedtraditionally.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the horseshoeis a plurality of horseshoes, the method further comprising carrying outsteps a through c for a corresponding plurality of hooves of theungulate using a respective one of the plurality of horseshoes.
 6. Amethod of upgrading a horseshoe having a support surface to be attacheddirectly to a hoof of an ungulate and an exposed ground-facing surfaceto be contacting a ground surface when attached to the hoof, the methodcomprising the steps of: adding a first groove on the support surfaceand a second groove opposite the first groove on the ground-facingsurface on a bridge of the horseshoe, the horseshoe not originallyhaving the first groove on the support surface or the second groove onthe ground-facing surface, the first groove extending across the bridgefrom an inner circumference to an outer circumference of the horseshoeand the second groove extending across the bridge, the horseshoe beingcomposed of a metal; responsive to the adding the first and secondgrooves, fitting the horseshoe as a single, unitary piece to the hoof;responsive to the fitting, deepening the first groove in the supportsurface while the horseshoe is unattached to the hoof, by partiallycutting or sawing the horseshoe starting at or along the first grooveacross a width of the bridge without cutting completely through thebridge such that the horseshoe remains a single, unitary piece;responsive to the deepening, nailing the support surface to the hoofsuch that a sole of the hoof remains uncovered by the attached horseshoeafter the attaching; and responsive to the nailing, sawing or cuttingthe horseshoe starting at or along the second groove and then completelythrough the deepened first groove while the horseshoe remains nailed tothe hoof and the sole remains uncovered by the attached horseshoe todivide the single, unitary piece into two separate parts, therebypermitting lateral and medial movement of the hoof along the groundsurface.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first grooveand the second groove are provided either manually or mechanically usinga mountable position adaptor.